Correlation between sequence conservation and structural thermodynamics of microRNA precursors from human, mouse, and chicken genomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous studies have shown that microRNA precursors (pre-miRNAs) have considerably more stable secondary structures than other native RNAs (tRNA, rRNA, and mRNA) and artificial RNA sequences. However, pre-miRNAs with ultra stable secondary structures have not been investigated. It is not known if there is a tendency in pre-miRNA sequences towards or against ultra stable structures? Furthermore, the relationship between the structural thermodynamic stability of pre-miRNA and their evolution remains unclear.

Results

We investigated the correlation between pre-miRNA sequence conservation and structural stability as measured by adjusted minimum folding free energies in pre-miRNAs isolated from human, mouse, and chicken. The analysis revealed that conserved and non-co

SUBMITTER: Ni M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2984420 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature